5 minutes with...

Please provide a brief introduction to yourself and who you write for

Hi I’m Brijiena, Bri for short and I’m a consumer writer at the Daily Star.

Give us the inside scoop, what’s your favourite part about working for DS

The Daily Star is part of Reach PLC, which is Britain’s largest newspaper, magazine and digital publisher, with a print and online portfolio reaching 38.6million people every month. Being able to work for such a huge national name is one of the biggest achievements in my career to date.

Generally, I’m a huge shopper and love to browse products. Covering everything from food and drink, to tech and beauty products has given me major insight to a lot of products I might not have ever heard of otherwise. It also allows me to create working relationships with some of my favourite brands - which is really cool!

What’s the most memorable approach you’ve had from a PR?

I started working at Reach before the pandemic hit, so something as small as press breakfasts/lunches is always a nice experience and a great way to meet with PR’s. I think recently, the most memorable approach was a press kit I received from McVities. It featured a giant box, with helium Cherry balloons inside, with the newest digestive flavour packs attached. Certainly more memorable than popping to my local shop.

If you could give a PR advice on what to do to get your attention and secure coverage with you - what would it be?

• Please spell my name right in your emails
• Please call me the right name in your emails, that way it won’t look too much like a blanket email
• High res imagery supplied with the press release is always useful, there’s nothing worse than having to chase a PR for suitable imagery to run a story.
• Pitch me exciting things! Although I do cover food and drink, a new bread packaging isn’t what my readers care about. Anything weird and wacky, wonderful and discounted is usually a sure way to get my attention
• Where samples are available, it’s always useful as a journalist to get first hand experience with the products I’m writing about.

What is it you look for from brands you're looking to feature, are there any particular price points?

Mostly bargains, because who doesn’t love one? However if it does have a viral interest or does have some kind of fun element, I’m also happy to look at luxe prices.

Did you always know you wanted to get into journalism? How did you get into it?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer, it sounds cliche but for as long as I can remember, writing has been the most consistent, so it doesn’t surprise me that I went into journalism. I started as a Junior Copywriter for an Interiors company after I graduated uni. I took the plunge less than a year later to find a more challenging role and began my career soon after at Reach, as a Freelancer for The Mirror.

Tell us something interesting we don’t know about you!

I’m pretty sure I’m the only Brijiena (with this spelling) - if you type it in on Google only things related to me pop up. That, and sometimes the google recommendation to ask if you meant ‘Beijing’.

I’m a new, but very obsessed plant mum too.